It might be Cupcake Week for most of the SEC, but that doesn’t mean we have a lack of storylines.

The College Football Playoff race is heating up and firing season has come early for a couple of SEC coaches.

What does that mean? Well, it means we have plenty to talk about in this week’s Mailbag! So let’s get started with your questions for this week, shall we?

Michael:

Alabama is currently playing like 1 of the 4 best teams in the country but can’t seem to move up from No. 8 in the College Football Playoff rankings. What’s the path to the Playoff for the Tide?

I think Kirk Herbstreit was spot on during Tuesday’s rankings show when he said he believes Texas is boxing out the Tide. The Longhorns are currently at No. 7 in the nation and have a win over Alabama.

So for the Tide’s Playoff path, first things first – Texas has to lose again. That’s pretty much a non-negotiable point for Alabama right now.

Second, Alabama fans should root for Oregon to lose again, perhaps even to Washington when they potentially have a rematch in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Washington running the table just takes up 1 Playoff spot, so that’s fine.

Either Ohio State or Michigan will have 1 loss after The Game, which will also boost Alabama’s chances. The Tide should hope either Ohio State or Michigan wins in dominant fashion so the loser takes a tumble in the rankings.

So now we’ve got Washington and Michigan/Ohio State winner in the Playoff. Florida State is also unbeaten currently, so a Seminoles loss would be helpful for the Tide, too.

Alabama still needs to beat Georgia in the SEC title game to get the spot in the field of 4, though. If the scenario I painted above does happen, Alabama and Georgia could both potentially get into the Playoff if Georgia loses in Atlanta in a close game.

We’ll see what happens, but these last 3 weeks before the CFP field is announced should be very exciting!

Rob from Tampa:

With the coaching carousel season beginning, what are the chances that Mike Bobo and Will Muschamp test the waters of becoming head coaches again? Not necessarily in the SEC, but a Power 5 (4) program. Both are former head coaches, but they are the OC/Co-DC at their alma mater and coaching under former teammate and long-time friend, Kirby Smart. Seems like they have a good thing going in Athens, but would the temptation of running their own program be too hard to resist given the current circumstances?

Fortunately for Kirby Smart, I don’t think he’s at too much risk of losing either of those guys this offseason. Bobo just got to Athens after a not-so-great stint at Auburn, so he probably needs another year or 2 of performing at a high level before he draws head coaching interest.

Muschamp will also likely stay, as he’s had a few different opportunities to be a head coach. I’d be more worried about potentially losing the other co-DC, Glenn Schumann. I could see him getting a look at Texas A&M, Mississippi State and other openings that pop up around the country.

If Schumann leaves and Muschamp takes over the Georgia defense and has success? Then perhaps he becomes more attractive as a head coaching candidate. But for right now, I predict Georgia will keep both Bobo and Muschamp heading into 2024.

(I was also the guy who predicted no SEC head coaches would lose their jobs in 2023 and 2 already have, with potentially a third on the way. So take my prediction here with a grain of salt!)

Jeremy:

Who should Texas A&M hire to replace Jimbo Fisher?

I’m a big Lane Kiffin fan as long-time readers of this column likely know. I’d throw money at him and see what he can do on the recruiting trails and transfer portal with lots of deep-pocketed boosters.

I know that might not be a popular option in College Station, but that’s what I would do. Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork used to hold the same job at Ole Miss, but he left for the Aggies before the Rebels hired Kiffin.

Still, that connection is an interesting one.

The most-interesting name, to me, is Duke head coach Mike Elko, who was Fisher’s DC at Texas A&M from 2018 to 2021 before he landed the job with the Blue Devils. He’s been doing great work in Durham and might be ready for a big-time job.

That’s the “safe” choice, in my opinion. I’d go for Kiffin first, but if he won’t leave Ole Miss, it’s time to bring Elko home to College Station.

@Dobbe8:

What Feast Week tournament are you most excited for this year?

It’s the Maui Invitational and it’s not even close. This year’s field is loaded. Three of the top 4 teams in the country – No. 1 Kansas, No. 3 Purdue and No. 4 Marquette – will participate. No. 7 Tennessee is there. No. 11 Gonzaga is intriguing. UCLA and Syracuse are both 3-0 as of Thursday night.

It’s unfortunate that the tournament can’t be held at Lahaina Civic Center like normal due to fires that devastated the area earlier this year. But you can be sure some amount of proceeds from the tourney will go to those impacted.

On the court, the action should be absolutely incredible. My prediction right now? I’ll take Tennessee to pull off the mini-upset and win the tournament, taking over the No. 1 position in the AP Poll when all is said and done.

Next week is one of my favorite weeks of the entire year. Enjoy the football and basketball action, as well as Thanksgiving, y’all!

Have a question for next week’s Mailbag? Tweet at us using #SDSMailbag or email me at Adam.Spencer@XLMedia.com.

Just a reminder, tomorrow is game day! Be sure to check out our homepage for our Saturday Morning Tailgate. From TV schedules to power rankings to the SEC’s top players, it’s the one-stop shop every SEC fan needs to kick off the best day of the week.